We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eva Couto. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eva below.

Hi Eva, thanks for joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

In today’s ever-growing online world, where not only do we spend more & more time mindlessly scrolling social media, but there are also more & more people using social media for business, it’s key to stand out as a brand.

If you don’t, you have an expensive hobby — not a business.

And while most designers will push for minimalist aesthetics as the one & only formula to build a professional & successful business that feels “authentic”, there’s one thing that gets you clients banging down your door to buy from you again and again: personality.

So let’s set the record straight: minimalism doesn’t work for everybody.

While black & white minimalism might even be the right fit for some brands (even if totally overdone at this point), they certainly don’t work for everybody.

Unlike boring & beige blands, I focus on translating those quirks and special things about your personality into your brand & visual identity through the power of colour, so that you can be confident you carved your own unique path and are speaking to the right people.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Eva, I’m a Brand Designer & Strategist, and I help badass businesses stand out with bold, strategic & 100% unique branding.

I never fit in with the “cool kids”. Graduating from college with killer grades and a shiny new degree in Communication Design, I set off into careerland brimming with confidence. After months of grueling hours, zero boundaries, and trying (and failing) to squeeze myself into a corporate box of despair, I decided enough was enough and quit.

There was no blaze of glory — just a decision to never box myself into someone else’s expectations of me, ever again. Turns out, it was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been helping fellow rule-breakers free themselves from insecurity and step into their most powerful selves ever since.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The one thing creatives hear the most growing up is something along the lines of “I could never do what you do! I have no idea how you come up with all those ideas!”.

And it’s normal to internalise this message that some people are creative, and some aren’t. Which is not only limiting, but false.

As I started to work with more & more clients, I soon discovered that everyone has a unique creative capacity: it’s simply a matter of tapping into that potential. Creativity isn’t a trait you are or aren’t born with, but a muscle we can ALL exercise and strengthen over time.

That’s why it’s so important for me to actively collaborate with clients as we build their brands together: not only can I better understand my client’s needs & goals, but that’s also how we’re able to unlock innovative solutions and bring their badass brands to life.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Just like there’s more & more content to be consumed online, there are more & more brands creating content online and fighting for your audience’s attention.

And as much as I’d like to give you a formula for growing an actively engaged community, there isn’t one. But that’s the beauty of it! As cliché as it sounds, the key is being authentic.

When instead of hiding my quirks, I started owning my weird and showing my face on camera that’s when social media started generating results and sales beyond big follower numbers. I consistently showed up, not as a replica of others or what’s expected from a “professional” service provider, but as a genuine representation of myself. It’s not about fitting into the mold; it’s about breaking the mold and creating your own.

My advice for those starting to build their social media presence is to resist the temptation to imitate. Authenticity attracts, and your audience wants to connect with a real person, not a copycat. Show up consistently, share your journey, and build a brand that resonates with your audience. Own your weirdness, because that’s what makes you stand out in a crowded digital world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.evacoutodesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evacoutodesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evacoutodesign/